Wednesday 18 March 2009

No country for old men


With a vast majority of our population under 30, it’s absolutely crazy that we continue to be ruled by geriatrics. People like Advani should be playing toy games with their great grand kiddies in the lawns of their retirement villas.

The problem is not just the age itself, but these old folks’ complete disengagement with the rapidly changing world, its attitude and its beliefs.

Which is why while what the populace really wants is security, infrastructure and opportunities to fulfill their career ambitions, what we are promised is temples and masjids in moffusil towns. And hatred against communities.

Which is the big reason why so many of us don’t vote. Put in younger candidates with proven credentials, people we connect with, then see what happens at the voting booths.

Also, I just don’t understand one thing: if there is retirement age fixed in all other professions (including the public sector), why must it be any different for politics? In fact, when it comes to running such a complicated nation, we badly need people out there who are fit in mind and body. Surely the time has come for the Supreme Court to take a look at this issue.

A rider: when I say younger people, I don’t necessarily mean dynastic politics. (Look at the joker Sanjay Gandhi has begetted.) We need fresh blood into the system, and that ain’t gonna happen until the hot seats are vacated by the dinosaurs.

So it’s all very well to run campaigns asking youngsters to vote, but what’s the point if in the end we land up having the same old fogies decide our destiny?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Exactly my thoughts! The country is tired of seeing these old & haggard faces of the likes of LK Advani, Manmohan Singh, Sharad Pawar etc., irrespective of which party they belong to. Will someone tell these Political parties that they are axing their own feet by projecting such old men as their Prime Ministerial candidates. Hope better sense prevails.

Cheers!"
Navin

Biswajit said...

Agree with you 100 per cent. Why vote when all we are likely to get are old fogies trying to divide the nation on communal issues? Surely that can't be much of a promise for a better future.

Anonymous said...

Hi Anil,

Long time no see?

How very true, but what can one expect when the majority (or at least, the ones who go to vote) voters are happy with the situation.
Hope and pray that sense will prevail and that this time we have a 90%, if not 100% voter turn out, else the way things are moving we will soon be following our neighbour's footsteps. Don't forget at one time they were Indians too.
Cheers.

Norman